As we move forward through the pandemic and into the “new normal” this holiday season, many of us feel inspired to support our communities and help those in need. Giving back has always been a fundamental component of Landry & Kling’s company’s culture. We believe that in order to change the world, you must lead by example. Over the years, our team members have supported various organizations and initiatives by volunteering their time and talents. Here’s what a few of our staff have been doing:
The Landry & Kling Team Making a Difference
Miami Waterkeepers – 1000 Eyes on the Water
In October, our CEO Joyce Landry completed a training program to become a certified member of the Miami Waterkeeper’s citizen group “1,000 Eyes on the Water”. Miami Waterkeeper is one of 300 Waterkeeper organizations working for clean water around the world through community outreach & education, science & research, and legal advocacy. The Miami organization created this program to train 500 local people (1000 eyes) to be champions for Biscayne Bay and Miami waterways. Patrol members observe, document, and report on habitat loss, pollution, water quality, and injured marine animals. [Pictured from left, Joyce with the Miami Waterkeepers group during a beach cleanup]
United Way of Miami Dade – Supporting Community Health Care
For the past 16 years, Project Manager Cherie Weinstein has been a volunteer (and now co-chair) of the Health Impact Council for the United Way of Miami Dade. The Health Impact Council oversees the portfolio of United Way partner-agency programs in the area of health and also solicits/reviews/vets grant applications, then makes funding recommendations. The council is responsible to ensure that donor contributions are being invested wisely where they can have the largest impact. Cherie says the work is enlightening and brings a greater appreciation for the challenges that many in our community face to access even minimal, yet essential health care.
Christ Journey Church – Serving Faith, Hope & Connection
Our Senior Manager, Client Services Vicki Fernandez serves at Christ Journey Church in Coral Gables, FL. Vicki is a weekend service producer and volunteer coordinator for their production teams. With the advent of COVID, the church stopped all in-person gatherings and transitioned to a church online format. The Family Ministry team went virtual with camps and other activities and created resources to help families stay connected through quarantine. The church also collected food through their Feed Miami initiative. Over 37,000 lbs. of food was collected and distributed to those in need in the Miami-Dade County community. [Pictured: Vicki, far right, with her production team pre-COVID]
People For Guatemala – Empowering & Feeding Families
Content editor Maureen McKeon is on the ground in Antigua, Guatemala where she is involved with several projects and nonprofit organizations that help families in need. Due to the lack of work during the pandemic, more people in Guatemala have been pushed into extreme poverty and the rate of acute malnutrition in children has tripled. Maureen is supporting projects that are creating economic opportunities and delivering bags of “survival food” and hygiene supplies to suffering families in rural areas. [Pictured: Maureen serving lunch to the indigent in Antigua Guatemala]
To help feed Guatemalan families and lift them out of poverty, please visit People for Guatemala.
CSR – Companies Are Giving Back
In the midst of a major Hurricane aftermath, one of our clients chartered Silversea’s Silver Wind. They then initiated a corporate social responsibility project to give back to every Caribbean island they visited. Along with numerous volunteers, our CEO Joyce Landry helped make a difference. As pictured, they worked tirelessly to improve homes damaged by the storm in San Juan, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
In 2021, we encourage companies to find their own ways of giving back. Begin by researching community initiatives and forming relationships with charitable and non-profit organizations. In the process, you will promote team building/bonding as your company meets the needs of the community.
By giving back, we can all continue to expand on this important aspect of corporate social responsibility.
